: Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal. If you don't have an account, you must register first.
Downloading the correct VMware ESXi ISO is the first step to deploying a bare-metal hypervisor. This guide covers the official sources for different use cases: free licensing, evaluation, and enterprise access.
If the values match, the ISO is safe to use. download esxi iso
: In the search bar, type "VMware vSphere" or select "VMware" from the division dropdown.
You cannot download ESXi without an account. : Log in to the Broadcom Support Portal
If you are a home user or doing a POC (Proof of Concept), you must "subscribe" to the free tier to see the download link.
: Look for a box or banner labeled "Free Software Downloads available HERE" . This guide covers the official sources for different
: You must click and read the "Terms and Conditions" before the download button becomes active.
| Use Case | Recommended Version | |----------|----------------------| | New home lab | (latest stable) | | Older hardware (pre-2019) | ESXi 7.0 Update 3 (broader driver support) | | Production with old apps | ESXi 7.0 or 6.7 (check support lifecycle) |